March Ipsy Bag

Happy Spring everyone! 

I love sharing my monthly Ipsy bags with you. You probably already know, but if you don't, this is a monthly subscription service that delivered beauty items right to your door for $10.00 a month. I have been an active faithful member of Ipsy since attending Generation Beauty. 

The bag this month, is honestly not one of my favorites. It was made by a Ipsy member and I just really don't love the pattern or the weird plastic type material.

Here is what was in my bag,

1. NYX Love In Rio

2. Chella Indigo Blue Eyeliner

3. Pixi Beauty Flawless Beauty Primer

4. bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie "Get Ready" Lipstick

I can honestly say most months I am so happy and impressed, but this month was just a bummer. I know I'll use the eye shadow at some point but the rest is just not my cup of tea. The blue felt tip eyeliner is something I know I wont wear, and the other two just are not for me.

 Honestly though for $10.00 a month you never know what you'll get! I'm not complaining, because I really love getting new things, and I can share with friends and family! You can join here!


Let me know what your favorite subscription service is!

February Favorites

I cannot believe how quickly this month has flown by! With March approaching, you know what that means....SPRING is coming! I know a lot of you are very excited for the warmer weather, and of course spring break. I on the other hand am excited to bust out my sandals, and bright nail polishes!

I wanted to get my February favorites up, because I have been LOVING quite a few new and old things this month. So I'm just gonna hop right in..


Brookeside Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Candy - Holy moly are these things addicting! I usually am not a big fan of dark chocolate, but I absolutely love these. I have a small bag in my desk drawer at work for when I need a little chocolate pick me up, and I don't feel THAT guilty.

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - This is my #1 all time favorite makeup applicator product! I had always used a dense face brush to apply my foundation, and never considered buying the beauty blender because of the pricy $30.00 dollar price tag. This sponge when wet, is so fluffy and bouncy that your foundation goes on so flawlessly. I have noticed such a huge difference in my makeup application since using this sponge. All I do is wet the sponge and squeeze out the excess water, and bounce the sponge all over my face and neck with the foundation (instead of swiping or pulling the product around) and I have so much more coverage and absolutely no streaking. This sponge is less than $6.00 at Ulta!



 Tone "Petal Soft" body wash -  I received this product in my Bzz agent kit to try out, and I love this. I am such a sucker for not only packaging but things that smell amazing and this has both. My favorite flowers are peony's and the scent of this body wash is so girly and pretty.

OPI - Dont Bossa Nova Me Around - I have no words for how absolutely beautiful this nail polish is! I hunted for it around my town for two weeks before I finally found it, and boy am I so happy I have this nail polish in my life. It is the prettiest "nude" like color I have. It is a blush toned, but still very subtle and romantic looking. Any and all nail polish fanatics, you need to get your hands on this color.

Ed Hardy "Love Kills Slowly" Perfume - Don't judge me for wearing Ed Hardy perfume, when you smell this perfume you'll know why. This is literally "my" kind of scent, it is so girly and clean smelling and perfect for fall! Joe recently bought be a new one because mine was getting dangerously low. Perfect spring and summer scent.

My new crockpot - I know, I'm a grandma; but this thing has changed my life! I have found so many perfect and delicious recipes on pinterest to just throw in the crockpot for the day, and dinner is done! Life is made so much easier since this purchase.  

My favorite crockpot recipes:

Tri Tip with Salsa - This is literally so easy and my favorite. We serve it with black beans, and sometimes chips and nacho cheese. So great for parties.

Chicken and Stuffing - Comfort food!!! So easy as well, and very filling!

What were some of your February favorites?

***Tone Body wash was provided by BzzAgent for testing purposes only. Everything else was purchased on my own and all opinions are my own.***

Week One of Online Blogger Bible Study.

This past week Brittany and a group of ladies, including myself started an online bible study. We are reading "The Modern Girls Guide To Bible Study" It is written by Jen Hatmaker who is hilarious and truthful, it makes this book so easy and fun to read!

I wanted to be involved in this study for so many reasons. One being that I work weekends and I work, and go to school during the week. I do not have a local church that I attend, I did in Las Vegas and loved it. We haven't found one that fits us, and it makes it hard to attend when you work all day on Sunday. I need this study to stay committed, to learn, and to grow. I love the fact that I am finding so many other bloggers in the midst of it also!

I was lucky to get partnered up with a really great girl named Katie, we are both pretty busy girls but we exchange emails and try and encourage one another. She is so sweet, and I am so happy to be paired with her.

It wasn't until around the third day; chapter 3 that I started getting the most out of the book. I hadn't been journaling or participating in the study guide. After I started journaling along with the readings I felt so much more fulfilled. It completely clicked for me when Jen made a reference about taking a phone message and actually writing down the message, as apposed to saying "go ahead, I'll just remember." When we write things down we are actually engaged and thinking. She even has a section on what questions to ask yourself and journal about which is really helpful for me.

I am excited for this next week, being more dedicated and engaged!

Link up on Brittany's blog if you are involved in the study as well.

 

Week 1: Get Fit, Feel Confident Be Healthy Linkup!

This is my first week of joining Brittany and Sam's "Get Fit, Feel Confident Be Healthy Linkup". I am so excited to read all of the girls posts on being healthy and getting fit, it is super motivating for me!

I will say that I am starting as of now; Monday January 13th. I also have not weighed myself yet for the week which is why I am starting today and weighing myself tonight to get started!

My problem: I have hypothyroidism, it was diagnosed about a couple of years ago and pretty much every girl in my family has the same problem. We all have to take thyroid medication every morning for probably forever. It's not fun having to wake up and remember to take a pill every morning when you should be a young healthy 21 year old. But I am very thankful that it is manageable, it just makes some things tough for me.

I had started doing morning smoothies with a ton of fruit and veggies including spinach....well after doing more research I found that I really shouldn't have raw spinach with hypothyroidism because it contains Goitrogens that slow down the thyroid function. NOT COOL, I thought I had been doing so good every morning throwing all these delicious fruits and veggies only to find out I was sabotaging my thyroid and medication! Since then, I have added carrots, Chia seeds, ginger root, and zucchini. I have also taken out all things that may affect my medication in the morning. So I am starting fresh this week with my new and improved smoothies, and I am bringing my lunch to work every day as well as cooking dinner at home.

I know that roughly I would love to loose about 15-20 pounds, as well as being fit and healthy!

My fur baby will love this because that means more walks for him daily as well.

 

Follow the hosts on Bloglovin (Brittany and Sam)!      

 

 

 

Current Favorites {January 2014}

I have a lot of things I have been loving lately, and I forgot to do my monthly favorite for the past two months! So here are some things I have been raving about!

Makeup:

Naked pallet I got from my mom for Christmas is at the top of this list, because I have neglected all of my other pallets and eye shadows since receiving it!

Urban Decay B6 (complexion prep spray), I absolutely have been loving this product! I will have my updated skin care routine up this week and a review on this soon.

L'Oreal Magic Lumi has been so good to me lately. I have such dry dull skin in the winter and since purchasing this product I actually have some glow to my face!

Hervana blush by Benefit has been my number one go to blush. It is perfect for my skin tone.

NYX Butter Glosses, I have been collecting all of them! I absolutely love éclair and apple strudel.

Nails:

Chinchilly and Ballet Slippers by Essie have been my favorite combo lately.

Hair:

I just got my hair done last night, and I am so happy with it! I usually try and get my hair cut short at least once a year to have fresh ends, and it was definitely time. My hair grows so fast that I wont even have time to miss my long hair.



Paul Mitchel Blonde hair care line, since I have ombre I still need to take care of my ends and the blonde parts, and the products from this line are the best.

TV Shows:

Dexter has been a recent obsession. I mean it, I have been addicted. The entire series is on Netflix and that has made my days filled with watching a show about a serial killer, but a good serial killer so it's okay.

Pretty Little Liars just came back everyone! I love this show, something about drama/suspenseful shows that get me addicted. I am writing recaps on the episodes weekly over on polished.tv here is my first recap! EP:1 Who's In The Box - please leave me a comment over there and let me know if you stop by! It would mean so much!

I have become a self proclaimed smoothie master, I recently bought chia seeds to add to my morning smoothies, this the highlight of my mornings! Sad, I know.

What are some of your current favorites?

31 things to do before December 31st is over ~ Update ~

Happy New Years Eve!

I wanted to update you on my list of things to do before 2013 is over! Since this is the last day of the year I figure it's very fitting.

*( ) - indicates my excuses

1. Take longer walks with Joe and our puppy. (in my defense it has been cold and I work until its dark)

2. Bake a pie from scratch. (I made fudge though)

3. Do black Friday shopping.

4. Buy gifts for children who need them.

5. Send out Christmas cards.

6. Hand make Christmas decorations.

7. Watch ABC Family Christmas movies.

8. Buy someone coffee at Starbucks. (does my mom count :/)

9. Go to our local museum and zoo for their Christmas festivals.

10. Try a bold lip. (I'm pale, and I was scared)

11. Drink hot cocoa - a lot.

12. Make my Aunt Kim's fudge. (I also made my own peppermint fudge!)

13. Go ice skating.( I did have the opportunity but I didn't wanna break my neck)

14. Decorate our house for Christmas.

15. Drive around and look at Christmas lights.

16. Kiss my love under the mistle toe. ( I didn't have any mistletoe)

17. Make my new years resolutions.

18. keep working toward my goals and future.

19. Celebrate mine and Joe's four year anniversary.

20. Put effort into picking out thoughtful gifts.

21. Bake cookies. (Whoops)

22. Build a gingerbread house. (Ahhh I wanted to do this and didn't)

23. Listen to a ton of Christmas music.

24. Take a ton of pictures.

25. Buy my dog a cute winter sweater.

26. Donate clothes and blankets to a shelter. (We did donate Christmas gifts)

27. Be kinder to people, even when they may not be kind in return (always something to remember)

28. Make homemade soups.(Campbell's was easier)

29. Try egg nog for the first time. (I don't think I ever will)

30. Spend the holidays with my favorite people.

31. Make a ton of new memories. I did get engaged which is a huge memory!

Cheers everyone! I hope that you all have an amazing 2014!!!

 

 

 

 

Hello 2014!

Happy New Years Eve Everyone!

 

I had a really hard time trying to remember everything that happened this year, maybe I am getting old ;). Anyway, after looking back at pictures I realized how great this year was and how many good things really did happen, and how blessed I am with the support system that I have in my life. 

 

I have a lot of changes coming in the new year that start so soon. One including changing my career choice to something I am so excited and passionate about, and that is becoming a first grade teacher! I start school in the middle of January and I am nervous and super excited all at the same time.

 

I got engaged this year which is huge, and I have a wedding to plan this year!

 

Here are some highlights of my year in pictures:

 

 

 

I turned 21 in February! 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2013: I was chosen to attend Generation Beauty in Los Angeles!

 

May 31 2013: my baby sister Meagan graduated high school!

 

 

 

 

 

October 2013: My mom got bambino/beans/bambi - all of the names we call him. He is now apart of our family and I love him so much!

 



 

Cant forget about Pepper and how much he has grown and how many new tricks he has learned!

 

September 2013: Joe and I moved into our very own first place!

 

 

 

September 2013:

I got to host a lash bash from Benefit Cosmetics for me and all of my friends!

 

October 2013 - The county fair came to town, like it does every year. We watched Dustin Lynch preform and ate fair food of course!

 

October 2013 - A trip to Santa Monica for the day was absolutely perfect and much needed.

 

November 2013 - I won tickets to see the Zac Brown Band, if you don't know I love country music so this is so fun! We even got eat and greet passes where we got to eat with the whole band!

 

 

I was engaged on December 15th 2013 - This was the highlight of my year, Joe is my best friend and I couldn't imagine anything better happening this year.

 

A few of my 2014 new years resolutions:

 

~Focus and vamp up my blog.

~Make major progress on wedding planning

~Read more often

~Focus on my health

~Find a job as a preschool teacher while I continue school

~Save money, and spend less

~Start our wedding fund

~Grow my blog following to hopefully 750 followers!

~Take more pictures

~Go to Disneyland

~Go back to Vegas and try to not chain myself there so I don't have to leave.

~Grow in faith, pray more and worry less.

 

Cheers to the new year and all of the resolutions and good changes to come! 

 

XO, Vivian

 

 

 

 

Radical Skincare - Instant Revitalizing Mask

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

I have been trying out the Radical Skincare - Instant Revitalizing Mask and absolutely love it!

Skincare products is something in my book that you should spend a little more time and money on because it is so important. A good skincare routine now will benefit you in the future so much! You can never start a good routine too young.

Here are some facts about the Radical Skincare line:



When I was given the opportunity to try out this line I was very excited, I researched their website which is SO informative, you all should go check it out! I found that the products are all paraben free which is amazing for people with sensitive skin.

I have been trying out the Instant Revitalizing Mask twice a week now. You apply this to clean, dry skin and keep it on for about 3-5 minutes before rinsing it off. You will feel small bubbles on your face disappearing (it's really cool). After rinsing the product off your skin literally feels so soft and amazing. They have a video you can watch on the product page showing how the product works!

My skin will tell me one day after using a product if it doesn't agree with it by breaking out, I have not had any breakouts whatsoever and my skin feels smooth and soft.

Where can you find it? The product can be found at http://www.radicalskincare.com/products or Barneys

What does it cost? $65.00

"The Instant Revitalizing Mask is the ideal coach for the skin: it delivers the nutrients necessary for hydration and regeneration while teaching it to breathe, stock up on energy and optimize its oxygen resources in rarefied conditions."

I absolutely love what the sisters Rachel and Liz are putting out there; empowering people and their skin!

I would never blog about a product that I didn't think was amazing, unless I state otherwise. I have actually been using this product, doing research on the product and really loving it!

The website has so much information including their mission and results of the products. I also see on the website that they offer free shipping and free samples which is always a bonus!


XO, Vivian


*Disclaimer- I was given this product for testing purposes only, all opinions are my own. *

New Adventures!

Hi everyone!

I have really exciting things going on right now, and I wanted to share one of them with you because I want you all to be apart of it!

I am going to be a weekly blogger for polished.tv! My first post actually went up on the website today, and I would love if you all would go take a look and maybe leave a comment. It would mean the world to me! I am really excited about this; but not to worry this blog will not take a back seat and will still be a main priority to me and never neglected!

Here is the link to my first blog post! 5 best mascaras under $20.00

Let me know what y'all think!!

Thank you all so much for my new and old readers, who have wished me congratulations on my engagement (still cannot believe it)! You guys are so awesome! Leave your links below and I would LOVE to read and be support to you guys and your blog!


Until next time,

XO, Vivian

Holiday Giveaway ~$100.00 Paypal Cash~

Hi Everyone!!

I have a super exciting post today, it is a holiday collaboration giveaway that I am involved in! 10 bloggers including myself pitched in to create a really awesome giveaway to our readers!

This is a $100.00 paypal giveaway which is universal to everyone, means it is also international! So it is open for everyone to enter!

This giveaway will go for two weeks - December 12th to December 27th

All you need to do is follow the rules below and try and do as many things as possible for more entries!

This is the season of giving and celebrating and I really you all enjoy this giveaway!
Let's not waste any more time;

 JosephineNychole  ||  Dainty Fawn  ||  Style of Colours

 Beauty and the Business || Bonjour Chica ||Hairspray and High Heels || Friday We're in Love

Cristina's Beauty Box || Vixen Bombshell || Petit Moi Big World || Vivian Stone

The Giveaway will run from December 12 until December 27 {approx. two weeks}. 

Follow the rules; and grab as many entrees as you can! The more you grab the better chance you have at scoring yourself an extra hundred bucks! :) 

Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway ");